Ok SO I need to correct a historical mistake. First off, no timelines in actually history need to line up here, I am just using the reputations of the various kingdoms because everyone knew who they were and how they were. So yes for you history buffs this is going to make you crazy. Secondly, Carlos (Callie's dad) will be the ruler of the babylonia kingdom, of which Babylon was the capital city. SORRY, SORRY. Just wanted to correct my mistakes. I did a tiny bit of historical research, should have done it sooner, sorry I didn't. BUUUT Onward.
Singitbroadway, yeah that's kind of the point. Makes me smile. *muwahahahaa*
Jem, I promise, promise that the shit will hit the fan soon. I need to add a few things, do a little more character development and go from there.
vickyO, Oh you are so right. Just teasing you a bit. ;)
Chapter 11
"To master another takes strength, to master yourself takes greatness." –Lao Tzu
The city of Babylon, the city of the hanging gardens expanded out before them and Arizona found that her breath was taken away. The city was beautiful with its many layers of gardens and the structure and architecture of the city itself. They crossed a the bridge across the moat and the city expanded in front of them. Callie smiled taking a deep breath of the air the had grown up in. She chuckled as they passed various points that brought back certain memories. Both she and Arizona had changed into their appropriate royal garb as Teddy had happily exchanged the long skirt for her pants and at Addison's prompting had left the shorter top on, showing off her abs. Several of the residents of the city shouted out to their princess and callie smiled and waved. She chuckled when she saw one of the runners in the city take off towards the castle no doubt to tell the king and queen that their daughter and the Persian princess had returned. Callie grinned and winked at Arizona and spurred her horse forward quickly. Addison knowing what she was up to growled and spurred her horse on as well, they matched stride for stride until they went through the castle gate. Callie chuckled reached up grabbed the top of the gate and took one side as Addison took the other. They flipped onto the wall and into the soldiers dens. Arizona raised an eyebrow when she saw the castle wall were completely filled with soldiers and Addison and callie were making their way through them. Arizona stopped for a moment and watched her lover. She watched as the sinewy muscles moved quickly ducking through and under swords, under spears, she never actually used anything but the flat of her sword and her hands. Alya sat near Arizona and yawned. Looking down at the leopard Arizona scowled.
"Aren't you supposed to be helping her?"
Alya seemed to shrug and then as the two warriors came to the end of the wall she moved forward into the courtyard. Arizona and Teddy spurred their horses forward and as they reached the courtyard Callie and Addison flipped down and landed in the courtyard in front of Carlos and Talya rulers of Babalonyia.
"Callipe Torres must you always beat up my guards?"
Callie's eyes twinkled and a slight orange glow resided in them.
"You should train them better padre."
The long held chuckle erupted from his lips as he reached forward and hugged his youngest child.
"Oh Mija I have missed you."
Turning to the others he smiled.
"Arizona Robbins, a face I have not seen in many moons. How is your father?"
"He passed several years ago Carlos. I am the ruler of Persia now."
"I extend my condolences, I know he passed child, I was at his funeral, did he make it into the afterlife?"
"Yes, my brother escorted him."
"I am happy to hear that. Come inside, I am afraid you came at a grave time Mija."
They all walked into the castle and Carlos led them to the throneroom. Callie had migrated towards her mother who had held her back for a moment to hug her.
"it is good that you are home daughter."
"The hoard?"
"Yes."
Callie sighed and looked at Addison. Addison sighed.
Arizona looked at them fear filling her eyes.
"The hoard are back?"
Carlos sighed.
"First off everyone calm down. Arizona the hoard never left, Callie was just able to satisfy them. We were at a standstill, we had fought them so long and they were running out of soldiers as much as they were, so we struck a bargain. We finally agreed on a tournament, Callie and Addison against everyone else. Twenty of the best trained hoard members they could find. Callie and Addison owned it and once they did, callie foolishly challenged the chief for the rite of the throne, He accepted. She won. She placed the son of the hoard chief who lived with us for quite a while in charge. He was killed by a disease, and now another hoard member has stepped up and challenged both of them to the tournament once again."
Callie sighed.
" When does the tournament take place?"
"Two days. Calliope, two days."
"Then we must prepare. Jafal please escort Addison and Teddy to their room, and the princess will take my chambers."
" Yes my lady."
Arizona quickly followed Callie to her quarters and seeing the battle lust in her girlfriend's eyes, silently questioned her. Callie seeing the look in her eyes quickly changed into her warrior garb sheathing her sword and pushing her bow over her shoulder.
"Where are you going Calliope?"
"To accept the tournament challenge."
She turned and faced Arizona and Arizona's heart started hammering. The leathers she wore were perfectly stained with Babylonian colors and the mask a perfect mixing of the myths of each culture. Seeing the concern in Arizona she stepped forward and lifting the mask gently kissed her.
"I'll be back in a few hours."
"OK. I expect that Calliope."
Callie smiled and kissing her one more time called Alya to her. She took off at a dead un, grabbed her horse from the stable hand in the courtyard and slipping her mask into place rode out of the city quickly.
Callie's senses were going into overdrive as she rode from the large city. She rode past the fort that she had defended and lost so many at, it was the first defense of Babylon, there were ten more in place to fall back to. She had lost so many there, now it was in ruins and another built not far from the first set of walls that protected the city. She rode deep into the forest at full speed for almost a half an hour. She passed several members of the hoard, some who bowed in respect others who challenged her with a howl or two. As she approached the village a ruckus was heard as she dismounted, holding the reins and walking towards the main hut. She was not surprised to find the man named Elias on the other side. He grunted in her direction and Calliope growled. She began to speak in his language.
"What are you wanting Elias?"
"What is rightfully mine traitor."
"Sevan was a good man and he was a good ruler for my people."
"He was weak, the plague killed him."
"You will not negotiate peace with me?"
"No I want your blood woman. I want your strength by eating your heart out, and that redheaded bitch, I want her skull to adorn my belt and I want the Persian in my bed." His face was inches from her mask. "I want all that you hold dear, and the leopards head will adorn my bedpost, where I will fuck your blond beauty and tke her body in ways you will never have. Oh yes Babylonian I saw how she looks at you."
Alya growled and Callie called her back with one look and then sighed pretending to not be riled by his words, but grinned all her teeth showing.
"Then I will see you in the arena two days at sunset and when I have finished with you hoard, you will live to remember the pain I have caused you. Your eyes will be plugged from their sockets, your fingers cut off and your toes severed, it will keep your from your god."
He growled.
"You insult me Babylonian."
"I mean to insult you."
"We will prepare."
Callie turned, leaving the hut and swinging back into the saddle rode back into the city. When she reached it her father stopped her.
"Calliope we must speak."
"yes father?"
"You must marry Calliope."
"Father.."
"NO mija you will hear me out. The last time you did this you nearly lost yourself, you must deal with your battle lust. You must deal with this. You meditated for two weeks, you lost your leopard, you lived in the jungle and beat the krap out of two of my best warriors, one who you almost killed. Please Mija, you must marry, you cannot deal with this alone."
"Father.."
"No Mija, do you love her?"
Callie's face held a mask of confusion.
"Whom?"
"Arizona. You have not taken your eyes off her since she set foot in the palace with you."
"Yes Padre I do, but I want more time, I want her to be sure I am the one. I cannot force her this way."
"She Is not bound to her leopard guardian is she?"
"Father Delilah is young, I'm not sure she would survive the ritual."
"She must Mija, you will die this time, you already have a hard time containing your battle lust. When you and Addison rode into the city and challenged my men you had it in your eyes. The orange glow it will overwhelm you mija. Addison has Teddy, that was obvious right away. This time Mija neither of you will survive if you do not have this release. At least consider it. We can do the ceremony here. it would not only solidify the relations between us and you, but also between the Persian nation, ours and yours. You must consider it mija."
"I will marry her in time."
Carlos sighed and reaching out ran his fingers the length of her cheek.
"Oh Mija, how stubborn you are. Time is not something you have. You have controlled your battle lust well, but this time mija, this time the god of war will surely turn you and all the values you hold will be lost in your quest for blood."
"Sex will not change that father."
"No but love will daughter, when the one who is your soul holds you all the blood your hands scream for ceases, your battle lust ceases, when the other half of your soul holds you all that you are becomes complete and you remember mija, you remember who you are."
Callie sighed and hearing a noise quickly turned. Seeing nothing she turned back to her father.
"I will consider it father."
Arizona had been wandering the castle when she heard raised voices, one of which was Callie's. Concerned she began to listen. She heard the entire conversation between Callie and her father and the issue of battle lust. Hearing the conversation winding down she turned quickly and was startled to find the queen behind her. The queen caught the vase she tipped over a Arizona caught the stand with minimal noise. After both were set back in their place the queen motioned for her to follow silently away.
Callie after her conversation with her father took a step outside and enjoyed the sounds of the city beneath her. She went to the roof of the castle and saw the tower of babel off in the distance. It was still falling to crumbles and she sighed, why her ancestors ever wanted to build it she would never understand. She knew its lesson, the myths behind it and sighed. She climbed to the roof and standing on her own balcony let her thoughts roam to the last war between the Babylonians and the hoard. Callie's eyes filled with tears as she remembered.
The battle cry of the hoard caused most of her soliders to cringe in terror, caused them to freeze in battle. Soon the battle would once more begin. Making her way into the command chamber she looked at the other four generals. Ralph one of her fathers brothers slammed his fist against the table.
"They are losing warriors as fast as we are, why can't they just relinquish?"
"Uncle we need a tactical strike."
Ralph looked at his niece, she was as smart as her mother and as cunning as her father.
"What do you mean?"
"The chief's son, if you watch him he makes many of the battle calls on the field. If we can take him out of the picture and use him as a bargaining chip we may be able to change the tides of the war."
"What do you suggest Calliope?"
"A team of my elite soldiers, we dress like them, talk like them and we go in kidnap him and bring him out."
Raplh stroked his chin.
"I like it. Go scout and find the main village. Don't get caught Callie."
"Understood sir."
Callie walked out and arranged her team. First they stopped by the main area for the wounded and took the equipment they would need, then they set out to become hoard.
Callie shivered as she remembered the feeling of the cold blood that covered her hair, the mud that covered her features, the stench of the hoard mask she was required to wear. They had hand carved their outfits learned the language from an escaped Persian soldier who taught them all he knew. She never forgot that feeling. They had penetrated and gotten the chiefs son out successfully. What they hadn't anticipated was the backlash. The hoard had attacked in full force.
Callie's sword sliced through another hoard as they climbed ladders almost as quickly as she could push them off. Reynaldo looked over at her.
"Cal we gotta come up with something better."
Callie growled at her second in command.
"Well figure something out dummy. They cant get past us, if they get past this fort Babylon is next. Your wife, kids, your mother."
Another hoard jumped over the top and sliced at Callie she growled and re-buttled the blow with the edge of her sword. The hoard was less coordinated, their attack just seemed to be to run at the babylonian fort enmass. Callie growled her sword slicing through three more men Her uncle fought hard beside her. She watched as one of the chieftains went for his back and threw a dagger.
"Uncle!"
Turning quickly Callie felt her sword tear through the flesh of the man who had thrown the dagger. He crumpled to the ground as she ran towards her uncle. He smiled reaching up and covering her cheek in his hand.
"You have done me so proud Calliope, let not the blood of our race go extinct I this soil, do whatever it takes. End this war."
His eyes rolled back in his head and his eyes closed. He had been her favorite uncle, the one she had been closest to. Tears gathered in her eyes as she remembered him picking her up asa child and throwing her in the air Growling Calliope picked up his sword and hers and one by one bega eliminating the menaces that overran her kingdom. Her hands were covered in blood, her face covered in splatters, for a moment there was an ebb in the constant flow of the hoard. Glancing over at her team she watched as they fought, they were the best, trained by her and tested by her and her family. They needed to find away to stop the constant onslaught with the ladders. Her face was covered in hoard blood and seeing the large vats of oil above the walls she grinned. The hoard had avoided putting ladders in that area, So Callie used a different tactic. Running down to the dungeon she grabbed the chiefs son and came to the top, she quickly bound hi despite his struggling and lowered him into a vat of oil, just to his chin and then waited. Bringing him out of the oil, she called out to the hoard in their language She held a torch just below the young man's legs and immediately the hoard stopped and called a retreat. As they retreated the chief stepped forward and taking an arrow blazing with fire and shot it in the direction of his son. Callie growled and hoping she had time jumped for the young man catching onto the rope and cried out in hurt when she felt the arrow pierce her left arm.
"Shit."
When they hit the ground Reynaldo immediately grabbed the chief's son and helped callie up.
"Get to the infirmary Cal. Why would you save this worthless scumbags life?"
Callie growled.
"leave him be. take him back to the cell."
Callie went to the infirmiry and got patched up quickly. A soldier ran by.
"General you are wanted on the wall."
Callie walked up ontop of the wall and Reynaldo pointed to the small child, holding a white flag walking across the field.
"Think it's a trap?"
Callie shrugged.
"I don't know. Let's see how far the child goes."
The child walked all the way to the gate and then in clear English spoke out.
"Please let me in. I am carrying a message from the chief of the hoard. I am his daughter, you are holding my brother. Please let me in."
Callie shrugged at her uncle.
"Let her in, lets see what she has to say."
Callie opened the gate a tiny bit o allow the young women in and then closing it again looked at her.
"Yes?"
"You are called Calliope are you not?"
Callie winced.
"Callie, but I fail to see how that matters."
" You think we are savages. We are in some respects, my brother and I were raised by some of your people. I have convinced my father to invoke the ancient write of hylea. You have poven your worth and we owe you a debt so our debt is being repaid by us calling hylea. You will meet in the circle with twenty of our best warriors and you will fight to the death. We have lost many as have you Babylonian. Please, let us end this bloodshed, whomever wins the competition relinquishs to the request of the winner, its apeace treaty of sorts. You either accept or you kill me to show my father you choose to continue. Your actions in savin my brother made you an honorable enemy and by our laws and traditions we put forth this challenge to establish a treaty."
"We accept. as royal blood to the amazon nation I request a partner in battle."
"Granted. In the meantime, the tournament will be in one week. you will nto be attacked unless my body hangs outside the walls. May I stay with you? I have missed books."
Callie smiled.
"Under guard yes, we will release your brother as well. George, these are our guests, take them deeper into the fort under guard, wash them, clothe them and take them where they wish to go."
As the child was led away by one of her men, her elite team understanding they were to protect and guard the guests Reynaldo looked at her.
"Callie that's a bad idea."
"We have to end this bloodshed somehow and if this will stop more from dying then so be it."
"You will go out to the hoard with a white flag and a message that we accept, in order to hold our shaky peace until the tournament we will keep both of the chiefs children, he will keep you and if either are injured the peace is broken."
Reynaldo nodded.
"As you wish."
That night Callie stood on top of the wall hoping she had made the right call, the hoard had not attacked all day and she knew she would be in the tournament. Standing on the wall she looked out seeing the fires that seemed to constantly burn as the dead were thrown on them and lead to the other side by the gods. She sighed and turned hand on her sword when she saw the chief's son beside her. She relaxed seeing two of her men not far from her. He glanced at her, his sandy blond hair had been cut, his face was clean and he almost looked.. human.
"I share your pain."
Callie chuckled.
"So you do speak English."
"Yes I do. As my sister said we grew up with your people, we only became the chief's children because of Hyambe."
"Hyambe?"
"hi daughter died in battle. A chief cannot be childless so he adopted us, at first we reisted, but they did treat us well, we became one of them. I was two when I was taken, my sister was one. the chief kept up our lessons in English by your Persian soldier. We grew up. They are not just savages you know."
"Forgive me if I have a hard time believing that."
"As many as our people have died Calliope. Most of them are the way they are because of brutality and education. I wish to change that. Maybe now if you win you will help me?"
Callie looked at the young man.
"Who are you?"
"I wanted to be a scholar, your Persian taught us that. I wanted to teach my people something other than battle, many of them are smart, and are human. They react based on the legends, that is why they seem savage to you. Are you prepared for the tournament?"
Callie chuckled.
"I am prepared in as much as I can be."
"My name is John."
"Well John I am Callie, in as much as I can I will help you end this war."
Callie smiled.
"OK then."
Over the course of the week Callie became close to the siblings, enjoying their stories of the hoard, and the humanness of the hoard. John taught her much about them, and they sparred together believing a mutual peace could be formed. Late one night Callie had just finished sparring with John and was meditating when Artemis appeared to her.
"Calliope?"
"Yes?"
"You have grown child. And you face a great battle. Come you must receive your gift."
"Who are you?"
"I am Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. First, I will teach you to grieve those that you lost. Come with me."
Artemis led her to a small village that Callie recognized. She watched as he younger self played on the floor of a hut. A beautiful woman walked over to Callie and picked her up and threw her in the air. Her voice was soft and sounded almost like a lullaby.
"Hi little angel."
Callie felt shock course through her system as her younger self reached out and wrapped chubby arms around the womans neck.
"MOMMA!"
A handsome man with deep brown eyes walked in and she reached out to him and yelled out.
"DADDY!"
"Hi Princess. Come we must leave the Romans are approaching."
As the man grabbed his babygirl a loud knock was heard on the door and the panic set into the mans face and his wife's face. The door splintered a moment later when a roman guard walked in and grabbed her mother by the hair and pulled her outside her father protesting.
"Leave my wife alone."
The roman sneered and ran him through, her mother cried out as she watched her husband fall and then cried out for her daughter. Her father as his last act shielded her from the fall she landing on his body as a young toddler and was set gently on the floor. With his last breath the brown eyes stared back into Callie's.
"Be super quiet for daddy ok babygirl? Please be quiet babygirl."
Callie felt tears streaming down her cheeks. The women had all been gathered were raped and then killed by the roman guards. Just as they were ready to kill the children of the village the Amazon battlecry rang out and forty women dropped out of the trees. The romans were quickly disposed of and the women began rounding up the children. Callie huddled in the corner as she heard the footsteps, her younger self peeked out from behind the curtain and the tall dark Amazonian woman seeing the movement of the curtain walked over. Her eyes glistened with tears as she saw the young terrified Callie. Soothing her out gently the Amazon women callie knew as her mother wrapped her in her arms and held her close, singing a soft song to her. The scene faded from her view and Callie turned to Artemis.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"Your parents were village people Callie, your mother found you, trained you loved you. You needed to know this in order to master yourself and to receive your gift. You do not remember this because I wiped it from your memories and from your dreams. I have protected you all your life, but this you needed to know this day in order to move forward."
Callie nodded.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. You are desceded from a line of Amazons, your mother was one of my chosen and your father was a chosen of Zeaus. Your parents wed, and you were born, we as the gods have watched over you. Your mother Tayla was one of the warriors who watched you be born, and was your godmother, she married Carlos and you are in line for both thrones as you already knew. As an fully trained amazon, you will need a gift for this battle. Close your eyes."
Callie closed her eyes and felt a warm breath hit her face and a roar echo in her mind. A beautiful large cat walked over to her.
"Calliope Torres you are our T'cha,our chosen, where we failed to protect you, we will protect you, we will fight beside you and in you."
Claws inserted themselves into Callie's chest and she cried out in pain. The leopard began to speak in almost a chant to her as its claws inserted deeper and deeper into her chest. It's life and the history of the bonding of her people to this animals tribe flashed before her eyes. She blacked out and awoke to a large leopard cradled around her body. The clear emerald eyes met hers and callie reached to her chest. The place where claws had inserted had scared over but were healed. The animal blinked at her and began to speak in a feminine voice.
"My name is Winter, I was sent to battle with you."
"I'm Callie. Are all the bonding ceremonies that painful?"
"I know who you are t'cha and no, but for you we needed to infuse our blood in yours and yours in our line. Never have we leopards bonded so wholly to a human. Come we must train."
Callie came back to herself at the soft purr next to her. She looked down at Alya. Alya laid her large head on Callie's shoulder and purred softly.
"It has been several long years. I miss your momma."
Alya cocked her head and gazed into Callie's eyes her voice echoing in Callie's mind.
"She gave her life to help you calm your battlelust. An endeavour and a price I am willing to pay. Though Arizona could much more easily calm it."
"I will not put your life or hers in danger Alya. I order you to leave me after the battle. Do you understand me?"
"Callie you will die."
"Then I will die. I will not sacrifice another of you. Nor will I put Arizona at risk. She is my soulmate, I order you to protect her from me."
Alya growled softly and walking over t her sat back on her haunches and pushed her paw against Callie's heart.
"I am bound to you Calliope."
"Don't call me that."
"Then don't make this difficult Callie. I will do as you ask but she now knows the truth, she is your only hope this time."
"You told her?"
"I didn't need to Calliope, She knew, she just put the few other pieces together in regards to Delilah and I. You must teach her about Delilah, she will handle it."
"Delilah could die with that type of bonding and it could hurt Arizona if not successful."
Alya looked at her and growled softly.
"Delilah is prepared. You are afraid of death for her, because you are afraid you cannot handle life without her. You will die without her t'cha, teach her so that she will be strong enough to help you. The three of us together coupled with her love can calm your battle lust. You must trust us all."
Callie nodded and then sensing her soul mate approach her. She was leaning against the door jamb watching her. Their eyes met and she spoke.
"Marry me Calliope?"
Confusion spread across Callie's face as she looked down at Arizona.
"You know the truth?"
Arizona nodded and walking towards Calliope pulled her gently into an embrace.
"I do. its not what I would have chosen Callie, but I love you enough to be what you need me to be. Marry me, not because we have to, not because you will die without it but simply because I love you. Not because it would seal and alliance and make us all stronger, but because I want to know you and what better way to do that than to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you Calliope Torres, stand in the light of our lives and let me love you forever."
Callie nodded.
"There are preparations to be made. First and foremost as my wife you must bond with Delilah."
"Will it be hard?"
"I don't know. That is between you and Delilah. Come."